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History of the Workshop
The idea for the Workshop began in 1998 when Mountaire Farms donated
an empty warehouse to the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary. The
building was located next door to the Joseph House Crisis Center on
Boundary Street.
The Sisters decided to convert the warehouse into a job-training
facility for the homeless. They wanted to break the cycle of
homelessness by helping men and women find
and keep stable employment.
The basic concepts evolved gradually, as the Sisters and volunteer
planners researched similar facilities, developed trial programs,
and conducted pilot sessions. Initial attempts focused on teaching
vocational skills, such as bicycle repair and furniture stripping
and re-upholstery.
The pilot sessions indicated that the Workshop should be a
residential program and teach job-readiness skills rather than
particular vocational skills. This approach would allow the Workshop
to offer more effective services.
The decision was also made to limit the Workshop to men. Given the
space requirements of a residential facility, the Workshop could not
accommodate both men and women. A team of advisors
developed a program that would help homeless men learn
life skills in a positive and supportive environment. At
the same time, the property was renovated to create
suitable living and classroom space.
The first residents entered the Workshop in September,
2005. Sr. Christina Tucciarone became the Director of the
Workshop in March, 2006. In April, 2007, the first
resident to successfully complete the program graduated
from the Workshop.
Developing the Joseph House Workshop was
a fruitful collaboration between the Little Sisters and
members of the community at large, particularly
Mountaire Farms. These relationships continue to help
the Workshop succeed in its mission.
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